Put up the fence today.(Pics added)

I would definately use some type of metal ties to join the pieces together. The plastics one wouldn't be able to hold very much of a force being applied to the fence. Some type of tall post to brace the fence would be ideal, but tent post would be ok too. Just make sure that it will stop the bottom from sliding. If you use something short (tent post), make sure you reinforce the top of the fence where the pieces join extra good. If one of the pieces is pushed with a post stopping the bottom from moving, the top is going to want to separate from the other pieces. Think about it like your oven door. When you pull on the handle at the top, the gap opens from the top, because it is not reinforced at that the top but it is at the bottom. This applies to your fence pieces too. If you push on the fence, the top is going to want to move, but the bottom will stay put because of the tent posts. Therefore, the top will have much force on it then the bottom, and will be more likely to break the ties. So make sure that you put several ties near the top, and everything should be fine.

I would also put the stakes on both sides of the fence. Probably two on each side of each section would be good. That way it can't slide in either direction. This will also help strengthen it.

I am now thinking of building one like that also, thanks for all the tips and tricks!

ORIGINAL: nGoldenm

I would definately use some type of metal ties to join the pieces together. The plastics one wouldn't be able to hold very much of a force being applied to the fence. Some type of tall post to brace the fence would be ideal, but tent post would be ok too. Just make sure that it will stop the bottom from sliding. If you use something short (tent post), make sure you reinforce the top of the fence where the pieces join extra good. If one of the pieces is pushed with a post stopping the bottom from moving, the top is going to want to separate from the other pieces. Think about it like your oven door. When you pull on the handle at the top, the gap opens from the top, because it is not reinforced at that the top but it is at the bottom. This applies to your fence pieces too. If you push on the fence, the top is going to want to move, but the bottom will stay put because of the tent posts. Therefore, the top will have much force on it then the bottom, and will be more likely to break the ties. So make sure that you put several ties near the top, and everything should be fine.

I would also put the stakes on both sides of the fence. Probably two on each side of each section would be good. That way it can't slide in either direction. This will also help strengthen it.

I was actually thinking of pegging it down not just using the pegs as guards against sliding. The fence won't slide, its pretty rigid, it could possible slide in if the other panels were manipulated, but one panel won't move alone. The pegs would be more to keep it form being lifted so they would have to be attached to the panels.

The panels are attached with 1000 pound clothes line. Proper clips and Duct Tape. They are not coming apart. The zipties are only holding the wire fencing to the piping. I have an average of 45 zip ties on each panel. But I do think metal ties of some type would be a good idea. Any suggestions there?

My main concern was how can I get my dogs to just respect the fence? Crusher has always kind of seen fences as a puzzle. Eventually he has always just figured them out.

ORIGINAL: Ixas_girl

Impressive! And inspiring []

The only thing I can think to recommend is to bolster up the zip ties - add some more - looks like you've got 2 on each vertical, maybe have 4 or 5? I was also wondering if you could stick a few little spikes in the ground, just outside the fence, so it couldn't slide on the ground if the dogs ran or rolled into it. You could use some kind of steel rod or rebar.

Ther are actually 10 on each vertical.

I'm thrilled for you! You know what I'm up to these days, adopting Ole, and going to pay a google dollars to have a real backyard fence put up! You've inspired me to check out beefing up the fence in the side yard...

You'll have to tell me how you attached the wire panels to the PVC. I'm not clear on that.

I'm sure Crusher can walk right through it if he wants to, so I appreciate you asking for fence training ideas. I would like to hear those ideas, too.

The fence I'm going to put in will be chain link. The one existing in the side yard is only five feet tall (that's noting to Sofia, the Floating Dog). But it's enough room to work a bit with a drag line....

ORIGINAL: huskymom
I was actually thinking of pegging it down not just using the pegs as guards against sliding. The fence won't slide, its pretty rigid, it could possible slide in if the other panels were manipulated, but one panel won't move alone. The pegs would be more to keep it form being lifted so they would have to be attached to the panels.

The panels are attached with 1000 pound clothes line. Proper clips and Duct Tape. They are not coming apart. The zipties are only holding the wire fencing to the piping. I have an average of 45 zip ties on each panel. But I do think metal ties of some type would be a good idea. Any suggestions there?

Ahhh. Well that changes things. I thought that you meant the panels were attached together with plastic zip ties. In that case, I don't think that the metal ties would offer you much over what you already have. With that many ties on each panel, a dog would probably never be able to create enough force to snap them. The only advantage I can think of would be that the metal ties wouldn't be nearly as succeptible to the weather. Even that's a long stretch though. I've seen zip ties hold up in the weather here for years after they were placed.

Now what I said about the stakes still applies. Even if you attach them to the fence, they are still going into the ground as a stationary anchor. Any force you apply anywhere on the panels except directly at the point that the stakes are attached, will be multiplied depending on how high it is applied. It acts like a lever. It is going to create leverage. With that, you will want to make sure that the panels are attached VERY securely higher up.
For example, say that your dog runs into the fence near the bottom. Now say that he jumps and hits the fence near the top with the same amount of force. Him jumping and hitting the fence creates about 6 times the amount of force on the ties than if he hit the bottom. Does that make sense?

So the fence is anchored fairly well high up the existing fence. The other side is even higher. Seriously I have leaned on it and it maybe moves 2 inches. No more than a regular Chain Link Fence would. I understand there would be more pressure on the top even just because it has the ground to anchor it and cause friction. But there is really no give in it. I'm getting more confident in the zipties. I just went out and inspected them and there are no signs of wear or even slight creasing on them. I attached them all pointing out as I found out that if my dogs can get ahold of the extra part they can pull them off even if its trimmed right down. The whole thing could be lifted about 10 inches from the middle point, thus my need to stake it DOWN.

As a side note, a cat came to investigate the caged dogs yesterday and the fence stood even with Crusher jumping on it. He seems to prefer to push on the fence by the crossbeams so that is a bonus for me. He'd have better luck wearing it away by pushing on the wire but he doesn't seem to like the feel of it between his toes.

So as long as we continue to forget the joys of digging, we should be all set.

Very cool idea!
 
Im going to put that into my mental rollodex.  I work p/t at a Home Depot and Im sure that someone has or will ask me about something like that.  There are a lot of renters in my area

Sounds good then. It sounds like you did a very good job! I was just telling you what could happen hypothetically. Hope everything works out great for you.

Love the diagram!!! [] What diameter pvc did you use? I love the idea that you have extra panels and can temporarily "expand your acreage". []

Great to hear that the fence held!! I was thinking that potted plants along it might help reduce jumping on it, but it sounds like it's ok. If the tent stakes don't hold, you could use a corkscrew anchor that would resist more sheer force.

This could be a good way to build your own cheap exercise pen for puppies. The ones they sell at the petstore are freakishly expensive.